It's been sometime since I have been on here so I thought I would add a bit of a debate question and see if anyone still reads this topic and later I will add a new pasta dish I have been having.

The debate is over whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Science and culinary experts do not agree so here are two clips to help you decide. And I for one am going to try the tomato dish tried out here too for my own amusement. Enjoy and comment if you wish

The first clip is the scientific answer which I don't think clears it up but is a fairly good starting point

The second clip features my favorite lady she is adorable a poker champion and quiz host and married to one of the UK's funniest men her name is Victoria Coren Mitchell. And is the reason we have this clip in this RP as it features a recepe

-Put the ingredients into the bread machine pan in the order listed (and as accurately as possible).-Select the whole wheat bread cycle (usually takes 3 1/2 hours).-Remove from the pan when it's done and let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

During the summer I reduce the yeast to 1 tsp because it seems to rise somuch more during the summer than the winter. Or you could increase the saltslightly (salt kills the yeast so it doesn't rise out of the machine!) So if you're getting a really huge loaf (and some of you have) try one of these2 things and it should be better for you. Atmospheric pressure (which varies according to seasons) and humidity makes a difference in how a bread rises.

Enjoy!

My Take!INGREDIENTS:1 1⁄2 cups water2 1⁄2 tablespoons margarine2 tablespoons molasses (or honey, I've also used brown sugar and corn syrup)1/2 cup whole wheat flour1/2 cup rolled oats3 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt1 1⁄2 teaspoons yeast (I've been using my left over breadmaker yeast, but a packet of instant yeast in with the dry stuff is about the same. If you use traditional yeast follow the instructions on the packet for how to use it)

DIRECTIONS:

-Start the oven at 350'F and set a five minute timer (turn it off when the timer goes off)-Mix the water (should be around 110-120F) with the margarine, sweetener and salt until it's all dissolved and set aside-Mix together all of the dry ingredients until well blended (I use the whisk attachment for my hand/stand mixer)-Add the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth ball forms and it pulls away from the sides (You might have to add a little more flour as you go)-Knead it about ten times on a lightly floured surface-Put the dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with a piece of greased parchment paper and a wet towel and place it in the oven until it's doubled in size (about an hour)-Start heating the oven to 375F-Punch the middle of the dough and pull the sides into the center then put it on a lightly floured surface and knead around ten times -Form and put the dough into a lightly greased bread pan and cover it with the parchment and re-moistened towel-Place the pan near but not on top of the burner where the oven vents (usually left rear one) for about 1/2 hour and turn it now and then until it's risen just above the height of the pan-Bake for 30 minutes and remove from pan once it's a nice golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap on the crown.-Let it cool for about 15-20 minutes then cut a piece and slather it in butter or margarine and enjoy!

-Put the ingredients into the bread machine pan in the order listed (and as accurately as possible).-Select the whole wheat bread cycle (usually takes 3 1/2 hours).-Remove from the pan when it's done and let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

During the summer I reduce the yeast to 1 tsp because it seems to rise somuch more during the summer than the winter. Or you could increase the saltslightly (salt kills the yeast so it doesn't rise out of the machine!) So if you're getting a really huge loaf (and some of you have) try one of these2 things and it should be better for you. Atmospheric pressure (which varies according to seasons) and humidity makes a difference in how a bread rises.

-Start the oven at 350'F and set a five minute timer (turn it off when the timer goes off)-Mix the water (should be around 110-120F) with the margarine, sweetener and salt until it's all dissolved and set aside-Mix together all of the dry ingredients until well blended (I use the whisk attachment for my hand/stand mixer)-Add the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth ball forms and it pulls away from the sides (You might have to add a little more flour as you go)-Knead it about ten times on a lightly floured surface-Put the dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with a piece of greased parchment paper and a wet towel and place it in the oven until it's doubled in size (about an hour)-Start heating the oven to 375F-Punch the middle of the dough and pull the sides into the center then put it on a lightly floured surface and knead around ten times -Form and put the dough into a lightly greased bread pan and cover it with the parchment and re-moistened towel-Place the pan near but not on top of the burner where the oven vents (usually left rear one) for about 1/2 hour and turn it now and then until it's risen just above the height of the pan-Bake for 30 minutes and remove from pan once it's a nice golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap on the crown.-Let it cool for about 15-20 minutes then cut a piece and slather it in butter or margarine and enjoy!

I will most definitely be making this. I love home made breads and this sounds yummy. Thank you for the recipes.

Add into bread machine container, warmed water, olive oil, sugar, yeast. Let yeast foam a bit.Dump in flour (start with 2 1/2 cups); add salt on top of flour.Turn on bread machine to dough setting. Watch for the first bit and add flour as needed to get a good dough. (elastic and not sticky).Get cookie sheet ready by lightly oiling with olive oil and sprinkle on cornmeal.Form dough into loaf and set on cookie sheet with tea towel to cover until doubled in size.Preheat oven to 375*F.Cut slits diagonally in loaf with sharp knife. Brush with egg white.Sprinkle more garlic powder and Italian seasoning on top with the sea saltBake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and when you knock the bottom of bread it sounds hollow.

This bread is incredible with soups, stews, chili and as a treat with a pasta dish!

I tried your first bread recipe and it is really good. The only thing I had a problem with was it didn't cut very good. I think I needed a little more flour so I will adjust it next time. I will definitely make this bread again. It has a slightly sweet taste which I love. Thank you for the recipe.

I can't wait to try this new recipe. I don't have a bread machine anymore, but I will use my stand mixer. It sounds good.

Here is a recipe that I have adjusted from a recipe I found somewhere, to be honest I can't remember. I will warn you this make a lot of bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls or whatever you make. It stays in the frig really good for about 3 days. So you could make fresh somethings everyday for almost a week. That is what I did.

Best Yeast Dough Ever[/font][/b](use for cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls, bread, or just plain ole rolls) (Make 48 rolls or 4 loaves or any combination you choose)1/2 cup warm water 3 tbs quick rise yeast 2 tbs sugar (combine these in mixer and let it foam)1 cup melted butter 2 cups milk (I heat the butter and milk together) 1 tbl salt 1 Cup sugar 6 eggs 4 cups flourBlend in mixer till combined then add 5 more cups of flour, (yes, in addition to the 4 cups you add 5 more cups to make 9 cups total) let it knead in the mixer for 10 minutes. Your mixer will get a workout and you need your largest mixer bowl for this.

(The dough is sticky, just roll it out in plenty of flour.) Cover and let it rise in a warm place for an hour. If you want rolls just roll it into whatever shape you like. Bread the same. This dough will make whatever you want. Once your shaped dough has risen for about an hour (a little more is fine, I prefer an hour and half for a light texture) bake at 350 for about 14-18 minutes depending on how you rolled them out. Cinnamon RollsThis might seem strange but I tried it and it is so much better than just sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on. This is for one fourth of the dough I have just given you so if you want to make 48 cinnamon rolls just double it twice for the right amounts. (makes 12) While it is rising I melt: ¼ cup butter½ cups brown sugar and ¼ cup cinnamon. Mix it well.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle and spread the cinnamon mixture as evenly as you can. Cut your rolls into 12 even rolls. For a perfect cut I cut in half and then make 6 out of each half.

This dough really rises nicely, so don’t put them to close! Let rise for 1 hour.

Glad you like it! Yeah I do say in the recipe on my take of it that you have to add a bit more flour as you mix. I don't know exactly how much but maybe 1/4 to 1/3 cup? My breadmachine sounds like a 1972 plymouth reliant with a bad transmission so I bought a cheapo stand mixer with hooks and that's how i do it. works beautifully

Chi! i made your Italian Parmesan bread! it's sooooo good! it's got a crunchy outside but a soft, fluffy inside! i let mine rise too much so it's a bit chewy, but i know better now for next time!I'm going to try you're oatmeal one next week!

I'll serve to you a family favorite. I'll admit I stole a picture off the interwebs because I've never taken pictures of food I've made. This looks just like my cake.

OreoCookieCake

Now this cake is expensive, high in calories, and should be a sin to even eat. But how can one not. 1/12 of this cake is equal to almost 500 calories in amazing cold cake goodness that will quickly make it a highly sought after dessert at any get together. Whether it is a hot summer party or holiday chill fest, this cake is great at any occasion. Though make sure you keep a piece hidden away for yourself, as it vanishes as soon as it is cut into. Often times, I carry a copy of the recipe when I take it places.

Milk, 1/3 less than what the instant pudding recipe calls for. (We've found that it is typically 2 2/3 cups)

1/2 cup to 1 cup of butter

This fills a 9x13 cake pan, so have one handy.

Eat 2 oreos! Or save them, or use them. But you can do this with 2 oreos missing. Put the remaining oreos through a food processor to become grated chunky powdery goodness. Put about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of the crushed oreos aside and put the remains in a bowl. Melt the butter and mix it with the oreos, then spread them on the bottom of the cake pan. This is your crust layer. I find that more butter makes it easier to spread, but also makes the crust very buttery. It is up to your own tastes. Usually 1/2 cup is just enough.

Next mix 1 package of cream cheese (softened), 1 tub whip cream, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar together. You want to make sure there aren't any big lumps of cream cheese. Place this mixture on top of the bottom layer. It is tricky to do this without messing up the bottom layer. I find spreading these layers with my own hands as opposed to a spatula or spoon works better, although messier.

Mix 1/2 package cream cheese (softened), the box of pudding mix, milk. I've got a hands free mixer, so this layer I usually let mix while doing all the prior layers, as it is really difficult to get the cream cheese mixed in really good. It is okay to have specky chunks of cream cheese, just no large ones. Place this layer on the last one.

Finally, take the remaining tub of whipped cream and spread it across the top, and sprinkle on the oreos you set aside. If you need to serve it the day you make it, put it in the freezer, otherwise refrigerate overnight.

melt the two tablespoons of butter in the microwave.slice or tear the bread into small pieces about 2'x2'. actual size doesn't really matter but try to be uniform for even texture.toss the bread, the coconut and the raisins together to mix them well and pour them into the 8" cake pan. drizzle the melted butter over the top of the bread.

combine all ingredient and whisk vigorously until sugar is dissolved. try not to beat the eggs too much.let sit for about two or three minutes and then give it another whisking. this help all the ingredients settle in.pour over the bread and press bread down with a fork, gently, until all the bread has soaked up the liquid. this may take some time and i recommend using a fork on the flat side.

for a pecan crust, press handfuls of crushed pecans (or other desired nut) into the soft bread unti you can no longer see the bread. this may take up to a cup or two.

place in preheated oven and bake 45-55minutes. when it has puffed up and is brown on top, you know its done. (note, if you use the pecan crust, it won't puff, and you won't be able to see it brown, so bake it a little on the longer side just to be sure. it will deflate after removing, don't worry, that's normal.

Butter Rum Sauce:

3/4th cup packed brown sugar1/2 cup (two sticks) butter.2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4th cup Rum (may be switched out for brandy, whiskey, schnapps or any other favorite alcohol so long as it has a flavor to it. try to avoid fruity flavored alcohols, no wines. doesn't react well.)

place all ingredients into a 2 quart saucepan and heat on medium until it comes to a rolling boil, make sure to stir.keep it boiling, stirring constantly for five minutes until the mixture is thick.serve warm and store in the fridge for up to a week.

I found the original recipe on food.com and realized I didn't have green onions nor did I have fresh dill! ACK! C'est Terrible! I MacGyvered it with the red onions and dry dill and added the pepper, carrot and celery for added color, flavor and texture.

This is a super quick and easy salad to make in the morning and toss in the fridge for dinner (especially with the chunk tuna!) Perfect for a hot summer day when you don't want to be slaving over your stove and would rather be enjoying a cool drink while watching your pool boy... yeah right like we can afford a pool boy!

Prep Time: 30 minutes Serves: 10-12

Ingredients1lb shell pasta (or your favourite small shape)1 large red onion, diced2 cups diced cucumbers, unpeeled (I use the seedless ones, one will usually do, and they don't get soggy like in the original recipe)1 large pepper, diced (red, yellow or orange makes for a nice color pop!)1 cup celery, sliced/diced... whatever it's called I'm not a chef! LOL1 large carrot, shredded

Optional:2 cans drained chunk light tuna (tried the salad leftovers with one can and was wowed!)

1. Cook pasta as per package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water then drain again.2. In a medium bowl blend together dressing ingredients, adding more or less to get the right taste for you.3. In large bowl combine the pasta with the cucumber and other ingredients.4. Toss dressing with the salad and refrigerate.

Note: This isn't a Vegan recipe, but I'm sure someone out there can make it so very easily!

Cook basmati rice for about 20 minutes in a rice cooker. Sprinkle with soy sauce after done, and enjoy!

Thanks this is the perfect single man meal. It's also great to add other things too if the feeling grabs you. like grated carrot or even celery etc.

Thanks for my next lunch idea

And thanks to all who have added their ideas to the thread I do read them and even try a few out. I haven't posted here in awhile and i thought I best make an appearance. Hope to add a recipe of my own soon

1. Place 30 pitted medjool dates in a small food processor. Process until dates form a paste.2. Next, add in raw cashews and pulse until the cashews are coarsely chopped and mixed in with your dates. You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times. At this point you are able to pulse in optional chocolate chips. Just make sure you don't over mix and crush the chocolate!3. Form a ball with your dough, then using a rolling pin, roll out dough so that it's about 1.5 inches thick. Slice into bars with a knife.

Process:Take the jar of sun dried tomatoes and drain all the Olive oi into a separate cup or container. DO NOT TOSS!

Clean the leak by slicing the bottom off and splitting it in half and rinsing all the layers. There may be dirt so rinse well. Slice each half in half again and then chop so ou have nice small but tasty pieces.

In a large pan with high sides place two tablespoons of the Oil from the tomatoes into the skillet on medium to high heat. Let the pan and oil warm up and then add the drained and chopped sun dried tomatoes, the chicken and the leek with the salt. Cook until chicken is cooked through and the leeks and tomatoes are fragrant. Leeks should be translucent but not brown. Some color is okay, be careful not to burn.

In another pot bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook yur Angel Hair Pasta until 'Al Dente'. You want it to have a little chewyness left to it.

Add the chopped Roma tomatoes, garlic, chopped bacon and Basil to the Chicken Mixture and let it heat until the bacon has softened and the tomatoes have released all their sweet juices. Add the spinach and mix until Spinach is wilted and soft. It should look like cooked spinach.

Drain pasta, DO NOT RINSE and add to the hot chicken and tomato mixture. Keep on medium to low heat and toss Pasta in the mix until it has finished cooking and soaked up some of the tomato mix.

Chicken and Gnocchi Primaverathis is a creamy Gnocchi dish perfect for using up leftover chicken. I used Rosemary garlic chicken that I baked in the oven the previous day and it worked very well with the Parmesan and parsley in this dish.

You could use any kind of chicken however in nearly any amount. Other meat works just as well, just slice it and toss it in the pan as directed. Shrimp or crayfish/crab would no doubt also work very well with this meal, though fish I think would be too 'crumbly' and would be best served as a main while the Primavera served on the side.

This dish is so versatile that you can have a lot of fun with it! Take your time to explore with different vegetables and meats!

Ingredients:Chicken (or other leftover meats s long as they are completely cooked through. We're just warming up the meat, not cooking it.)1 17.9 package of Gnocchi3 Tablespoons Olive Oil1 medium leek (you want to use a larger leek as they have a more potent flavor. The smaller ones are younger and more mild.) cut into quarters and then slice into two inch long slices. Rinse well.8 uniform (smaller is better) sized radishes, washed, ends chopped and quartered.8 ounces sugar snap peassalt and pepper to taste2 tablespoons butter3/4 to 1 cup reserved water from the finished Gnocchi¼ to ½ cup Parmesan Cheese1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest or ½ teaspoon lemon juice1 tablespoon parsley (fresh is better but dried works just as well.

Bring a pot of heavily salted water to a boil and break up the Gnocchi with your fingers. You don't want to just dump the entire package into the water when it's all clumped together. Reduce to a light boil and using a slotted spoon remove the Gnocchi as it floats to the top. It should be chewy on the inside and fluffy on the outside if your not sure.

Add the three tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan with high sides and cook the leaks until they are soft and beginning to brown. It can happen fast so keep an eye on it.

Once the leak is starting to brown add the radishes and the snap peas with salt and pepper to taste and toss with the leaks until the radishes are warmed through and the snap peas are crisp tender and hot.

Once the snap peas and radishes are cooked, add the chicken and toss until it's warmed. Add the Gnocchi and the reserved cooking water, start with 3/4th cup and add more as needed. Add the butter, the Parmesan, the lemon zest and the parsley and mix together until he butter is melted, the cheese has melted and the liquid has thickened. If it's too thick, add more of the reserved Gnocchi water.

Serve hot with more Parmesan and a few sprinkles of Parsley on top.

(this meal is VERY filling but is low fat and low cal. Serves three to four, depending on how hungry you are.)

The peanut butter and jelly reminds me of a staple fun food for kids parties in Australia and I have seen it on a few taste test done on You tube with Americans and other who have no idea about it or heard of it,so i thought I could introduce it here. With Christmas or Thanksgiving this could be a fun thing to put on the tables for the littlies and so easy to make.

FAIRY BREAD.

Its the bread the fairies in the bottom of the garden eat or bread sprinkled with magic dust

It's simple. Butter some bread anbd sprinkle ioo's and 1000's on them or Sprinkles if you like and then cut the bread slice on the angle so it is triagle shape and there you go. A sugary treat that is fun to eat.You could shape the bread into animal shapes or what have you to add a little more fun

they look like this

No it isn't the healthiest but fun for birthdays and occasion as a treat once in a while. They bring back happy childhood memories for me